The BBC’s modern-day take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic novels has been a massive hit in Britain, but so far the show has yet to become a similar success across the pond.

Now Benedict Cumberbatch, who stars as the super sleuth, has revealed just how much he wants the show to succeed in America.Speaking to The New York Times, he said: ‘I’m desperate for America to really take to this.

‘It has taken it into its heart as a cult thing, but I’d love it to hit the mainstream this time. Because I just think it’s of that quality, and it belongs there.’

He also admitted he was jealous of the success of fellow Brit import Downton Abbey, after the ITV1 drama won best mini-series.

Rebecca Eaton, a producer at the network which airs both Sherlock and Downton in the US, jokingly taunted Benedict with the show’s award, with Cumberbatch hinting he didn’t feel Downton Abbey deserved the prize.

He recalled: ‘I just looked at it and went, “Begone, woman. Bring it back when it says Sherlock Holmes or Steven Moffat or myself – someone else who’s more deserving than the second series of Downton Abbey”.’

Benedict Cumberbatch wants Sherlock to be a hit in America (Picture: BBC)

Cumberbatch’s attempts to drum up fans for Sherlock may be hampered by the release of Elementary, a forthcoming US show also based on the character of Sherlock Holmes.

Like Sherlock, Elementary is set in the present day, with co-creator Steven Moffat admitting he was ‘annoyed’ that the show was going ahead.

He said at the RTS awards in March: ‘It isn’t a version of our show. They’ve just decided to go off and do one of their own, having been turned down by us to do an adaptation of our version.

‘So how do you think I feel about it? Annoyed is in there.’

Moffat also revealed he was worried that the show could affect Sherlock’s credibility, adding: ‘The bigger problem for us with Elementary is, what if it’s terrible? What if it’s awful? Then it degrades the brand.’